by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a public administration degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 72 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying public administration schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose public administration graduates go on to earn the most.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools in the Southeast Region. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Early-career public administration graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University make a median of around $111,122 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at George Mason University, which ranked #2. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $100,653.
James Madison University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career public administration graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $82,861 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at American Public University System earned it the #4 place for public administration. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $83,170 annually.
Old Dominion University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Old Dominion University is a public school located in the city of Norfolk. Early-career public administration graduates from Old Dominion University make a median of around $83,088 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #6 spot for public administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill make a median of around $80,958 per year.
East Carolina University came in at #7 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of about $70,237 a year early in their careers.
Columbia Southern University landed the #8 spot for public administration salaries this year. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Early-career public administration graduates from Columbia Southern University make a median of around $80,102 per year.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,087.
University Of Miami ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,710.
Barry University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,605.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #12 spot for public administration salaries this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a public school located in the city of Montgomery. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,318.
Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of about $67,505 a year early in their careers.
Clemson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Clemson University is a public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Public Administration graduates of Clemson University earn a median of about $65,949 a year early in their careers.
Florida International University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. Florida International University is a public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,770.
Nova Southeastern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University typically earn about $65,021 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $70,893 a year early in their careers.
Mississippi State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of about $63,500 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,457.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,108.
Georgia State University landed the #21 spot for public administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from Georgia State University make a median of around $69,375 per year.
University Of Central Florida ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from University Of Central Florida typically earn about $63,975 annually.
University Of Louisville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. University Of Louisville is a public school located in the city of Louisville. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,153.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #24 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Florida Atlantic University is a public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Public Administration graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of about $65,243 a year early in their careers.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #25 spot for public administration salaries this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Early-career public administration graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University make a median of around $69,610 per year.
These schools also send public administration graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries public administration graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 72 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
